Syracuse University Press is proud to announce Roger Allen as winner of the 2012 Saif Ghobash Banipal Prize for his notable translation of A Muslim Suicide by Bensalem Himmich. The Banipal Prize is an annual award honoring the top English translation(s) of a full-length Arabic work of literary merit. Judging both the Arabic original and the English translation, the 4 panel members are of knowledgeable background as poets, authors, broadcasters, and translators. They described the winning translation as “A highly challenging, yet deeply enriching read… a major achievement.”

SU Press Director Alice Pfeiffer also feels strongly about the decisionstating, “Syracuse University Press is delighted and gratified to see Roger Allen receive this prestigious award. The Prize will bring well-deserved attention to Bensalem Himmich’s remarkable novel.”

The award ceremony for the translation prizes will be held Monday, February 4that King’s Place in London with readings and lectures by the prize winners. Tuesday, February 5th, Roger Allen will host a masterclass on Arabic literary translation and a conversation with the author of A Muslim Suicide Bensalem Himmich, followed by a reception.